The Premier League: Which teams are in danger of relegation?

The Premier League provides multiple narratives throughout its nine-month duration, but two stories constantly dominate conversation: who will win the league and who will face the drop? Let's begin by taking a look at those clubs who are in danger of potential relegation.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Chris Hughton has done a laudable job at Brighton. He has set the blueprint for a club who should be in the Premier League - his squad are organised, committed and tactically aware. Albion's stadium belongs in the top-flight, as does their academy system. Yet, if Hughton thought orchestrating promotion from the Championship was hard, fending off relegation from the Premier League will be another world of difficulty.

Huddersfield Town

The Terriers sought promotion through the playoffs - a final that was perhaps the worst in living memory. David Wagner's side was the surprise package last season, with many tipping them for relegation. Huddersfield's attacking play was efficient and direct, whilst their defence stayed firm. Characterising their game, though, is the emphasis on pressing that Jurgen Klopp had instilled into Wagner during the later's time at Borussia Dortmund's second team.

Town's press might be caught out in the more savvy Premier League and Wagner will have to know when to refrain from employing such intensity. Wagner is a shrewd coach, however, and has done remarkably well to direct a largely mediocre squad to the Premier League. Whether or not his side will stand up to the aggression and pace of England's top flight remains to be seen.

Swansea City

Paul Clement's Swansea can count themselves lucky - if it was not for Hull's surprise 2-0 home defeat to Sunderland last season it would be fairly reasonable to suggest the Swans would be in the Championship. It proved to be a turning point - credit should go to Swansea, however, who showed stoicism and graft, buckling the aesthetic trend seen at Swansea, to survive.

Clement will want to re-introduce the Swansea way next season but must be careful and not allow the sort of shambolic defending that left Swansea scraping for survival next season. The Welsh side needs to recruit well and start the season brightly: if they don't, they could be in a very familiar predicament.

Watford

The capture of Marco Silva as manager was an admirable one. He was unlucky not to have kept Hull up and demonstrated a tactical maturity that few expected upon his arrival. However high Watford's ambition might be, they will still be fearing relegation. It has been a tumultuous few years at the Hornets, with a succession of managers brought in and sacked, despite relative success - add the constant recycling of a squad to this and one receives the impression that it is only a matter of time before holes start appearing. Silva has to implement cohesion and structure, otherwise, Watford is in real danger of relegation.

Conclusion

It seems odd to only name four potential teams who could be fighting for survival next season, but that is because there does not exist any more clear contenders. Such is the testament to the strength and competitivity of the current Premier League sides.

Yet, West Ham United endured a worrying wobble last season, whilst Stoke City will have to be wary of complacency. The Frank de Boer project might also fail at Crystal Palace and Southampton's new manager's Mauricio Pelligrino will have to quickly acclimatise to the Premier League.

Football & political writer with a predictable love of everything retro. English Literature undergraduate at the University of Exeter, looking to pursue a career in sports journalism. For a collection of my work, visit. http://mikejonesmedia.wordpress.com